When the 2013 season began, righthander Wily Peralta—the organization’s No. 1 prospect for two years running—was the only rookie of note expected to see considerable time in Milwaukee. The Brewers signaled they were playing for 2013 with a week remaining in spring training when they signed free agent righthander Kyle Lohse to a lucrative three-year contract.

My, how things changed.

A series of injuries to key players as well as the steroid-related suspension of Ryan Braun created a revolving door between Triple-A Nashville and Milwaukee that never stopped spinning. Before the season was done, a dozen rookies saw action with the 74-88 Brewers, who never really challenged for a playoff spot.

Braun already was on the disabled list with a thumb injury when Major League Baseball suspended him for the balance of the season (65 games) for his connection to the infamous Biogenesis clinic. He’s signed through 2020, and the organization still owes him $129 million, so the Brewers have to hope the player who led the National League with 41 homers and a .987 OPS in 2012 can contribute in similar fashion when he returns.

The Brewers were 15 games under .500 and already had plenty of holes when Braun went on the DL. First base—where prospect Hunter Morris wasn’t even called up after an erratic showing at Nashville—required seven different starters, and several rookies made themselves factors for the 2014 lineup and beyond.

A power display in spring training catapulted outfielder Khris Davis onto the Opening Day roster. Initially, like many young players, he did not adapt well to a part-time role and returned to Triple-A. Braun’s absence allowed Davis to thrive in an everyday role, however, and he averaged a home run every 12.4 at-bats, forcing his way into the conversation for 2014 with a potential move of Braun to right field.

Scooter Gennett likewise went from the Milwaukee-Nashville shuttle to the starting second base job in early August when a hamstring injury shelved Rickie Weeks. Gennett raised eyebrows by batting .324/.356/.479 over 69 games while also playing better defense than advertised, potentially pushing Weeks off second. Righthander Tyler Thornburg recovered from an 0-9, 5.79 Nashville stint to turn in seven straight quality starts down the stretch, posting a 3-1, 2.03 mark in 67 innings to make a spot in the 2014 rotation likely.

Other silver linings to manager Ron Roenicke’s first losing season included Jean Segura placing a firm grip on the shortstop job and earning an NL all-star berth. Center fielder Carlos Gomez also emerged as an all-star with his best season, and the duo helped the Brewers lead the NL in stolen bases. Even Peralta rebounded from a horrid start to finish 11-15, 4.37.

For the first time since 1990, the Brewers did not have a first-round pick, having forfeited the choice when they signed Lohse. That didn’t help a farm system that posted a .442 domestic winning percentage, third-worst in the game. Only Rookie-level Helena posted a winning record. Outfielder Michael Ratterree, a 10th-round pick out of Rice, led Helena to the Pioneer League finals and was named league MVP.